PITTSBURGH - Titans cornerback Chris Carr was in town on Wednesday and met with Mike Tomlin and director of football operations Kevin Colbert. But if the Post Gazette's Gerry Dulac is correct, it appears the team is more interested in his return skills.

"You have to feel that a certain player will be a good fit," Colbert said recently. "If youíre bringing in a player from the outside in either free agency or the draft, you have to feel that they can fit into your current group of players. You know the personality of your team and youíre looking for a personality that may be able to add to that."

Former Duquesne star Leigh Bodden, a corner rumored to be interested in the Steelers, signed a 1 year, $2.25 million contract with New England on Wednesday. Perhaps Colbert's philosophy was a reason he was not brought in for a look.

Then again, as the free-agency period moves into its third week, one thing seems to become clearer when it comes to the Steelers.

An aura of confidence is in the air, that William Gay can hold down the fort vacated when Bryant McFadden left for Arizona.

Gay did a nice job in relief of McFadden last year. Facing elite quarterbacks like Phillip Rivers, Tony Romo and Matt Cassel - he proved he was more than capable.

In all, the 5-foot-10, 190-pound Gay had 41 tackles and an interception in 16 games for the Steelers last season. They pretty much mirrored what McFadden did. In 10 regular season games, he made 54 tackles and had one sack.

The the 170th pick in the 2007 draft impressed the coaching staff enough, that upon McFadden's return, they rotated every two series and did this through the Super Bowl.

"I filled in for Deshea Townsend at the nickel slot when he got hurt, which gave me more reps. I did the same when Bryant McFadden got hurt, too," Gay said. ďWhen they came back, I went back to splitting time. It is what it is. Iím just glad to be out there helping out. Whether itís on special teams or on defense, itís just a blessing to be out there."

He may be the blessing the Steelers needed entering the free-agency period as the team has just two other proven corners, Deshea Townsend and Ike Taylor. Gay's sudden emergence as a player meant the Steelers, pardon the pun weren't forced into a corner to overpay for MacFadden.

Asked how confident he is out on the field, Gay said 'very much so'.

"Yes, Iím very comfortable. I go through practice every day checking players like Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes," Gay said. ďYou are taking on those guys day in and day out, so when you get into the game you feel confident. You are ready, you know the game plan, so now all you have to do is go out there and make plays."

Re: Steelers report: Gay is confident in his play at corner and so are the Steelers

Quote:

Originally Posted by fansince'76

Cassel an "elite" QB? Since when?

Well... He did hold it down for the Patriots and led them to 11-5 despite missing the playoffs. But....then again he did do it against teams they were actually suppose to win against like Kansas city. I guess we really need to see how he does this season to really decide anything. On another note, I feel sake with William Gay taking over but that doesn't mean i wouldn't mind Chris Carr being around.

Re: Steelers report: Gay is confident in his play at corner and so are the Steelers

Quote:

Originally Posted by tony hipchest

i dont know....

i kinda question his confidence...

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dude definitely marches to the beat of his own drum and his teammates love him.

Yeah, I heard Ike Taylor on an interview with Jim Rome and they were talking about Gay and his parade antics.

Ike said something like "that's my boy...that young buck is gonna be a superstar. He is a Floridian and those Floridians get really expressive sometimes."

I thought it was funny that Ike said he was expressive, but thought it was more interesting the way that Ike told Rome "he's gonna be a superstar". I think Ike and the rest of the D are confident in Gay. I hope we address other areas before CB in the draft, because I think the kid can play!!

Re: Steelers report: Gay is confident in his play at corner and so are the Steelers

Quote:

Originally Posted by fansince'76

Cassel an "elite" QB? Since when?

SHhhhhhhh ever since he was traded dont want KC think they got robbed

i think gay proved he is ready to be a starter. i have no problems with him starting.

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Re: Steelers report: Gay is confident in his play at corner and so are the Steelers

Mcfadden ... In more playing time/snaps ...

Had only one more intercepion

Had only a few more tackles

Had only one more pass defense

Not to mention we toyed with that injury prone 2nd round waste of a pick bum for four years.

Never could stay on the field, couldnt be out the old dog, and just got shown the door because we picked up a better player in the 5th round.

Gay is going to be a beast, I like his swag. However, I just hope he doesn't get weird feelings if we draft a CB in RD1 of the draft. You can never have enough good CB's and as of now we only have three. One injury and we could be in quite a pickle.